Carl Edwards, Fort Worth SWAT team participate in Operation Gossage

Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage was held hostage briefly on Wednesday and was eventually rescued by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards and the Fort Worth SWAT Team.

Billed as “Operation Gossage,” Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Ford on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit, took part in a live tactical “scenario” during a special training session with Sgt. Todd Plowman and members of Fort Worth’s SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) team at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center.

SWAT intelligence had learned that Gossage was being held “hostage” by NASCAR’s defending Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart in a “NASCAR safe house.” SWAT officials said the suspect was panicked about defending his Sprint Cup Series crown and was armed with Gossage in hand.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards talks with members of the media after rappelling down the side of a six-story training building during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

Edwards, Plowman and SWAT members observed the scene then swarmed and stormed the house firing a flash-bang grenade to rescue Gossage during the simulated hostage situation.

“I think as much as he (Gossage) pays us to win his races he is worth saving,” Edwards said with a chuckle. “I can’t really imagine what it’s like living your whole life knowing that your phone can ring and you have to go to a situation that can be very, very difficult or impossible. That’s a different way of living your life and it’s one that when you need that help and you need their help, we are fortunate that they are there.”

Prior to rescuing Gossage, Edwards went through a crash course with the SWAT team. He fired a 40mm Grenade Launcher, Benelli M4 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun and Colt M4 Commando 5.56mm carbine with suppressor. He rappelled down the side of a six-story building and faced “live” situations in a hostile environment simulator and having to defuse the situation with armed force.

“I was taking that first step with the rappelling, stepping out that window,” said Edwards, who was in Fort Worth to promote the April 14 Samsung Mobile 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. “That’s a lot like driving the car 205 miles per hour down in a corner for the first time of the weekend at Texas. You’re like, ‘Man, I hope this works out. I hope all the nuts and bolts are tight.’ … These guys make it look so easy and after doing it I can tell you it isn’t as easy as it looks, especially if you’re going down headfirst like that.”

Fort Worth SWAT team officials said they were impressed with Edwards’ athletic abilities; physical strength and his ability to handle the adrenaline rush, which are some of the characteristics that are found within the members of the Fort Worth SWAT team.

“Carl did an excellent job today,” Sgt. Plowman said. “With him being a NASCAR driver, you can tell he’s an adrenaline junkie and that’s our kind of guy, so he was right at home with us. He asked a lot of questions about our work and showed a lot of interest in what we do and we respect that. His enthusiasm throughout the entire event was awesome and we had a great time with him”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards (L) talks with CPL James Hill in from the a Bearcat vehicle during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

Edwards said the was thrilled that he was given an opportunity to work and train with the Fort Worth SWAT team.

“This has been an amazing day,” Edwards said. “To see how these guys train and how much they put into their jobs is pretty spectacular. It’s a unique opportunity for someone like myself to come here and see what they go through. All this training and everything is about public safety and officer safety. It’s neat to see guys who are that dedicated to their community.”

Edwards will return to Texas next month on April 14 for the Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. In 2008, the three-time winner at TMS became the first driver to sweep both Texas Cup races in the same season. Last year he placed third in April’s Samsung Mobile 500 and he was the runner up in November’s AAA Texas 500.

“This Texas race is awesome,” Edwards said of the Samsung Mobile 500. “Our 99 team is the only three-time winner here at Texas Motor Speedway so that’s huge. I think a 500-mile race Saturday night under the lights in Texas is exciting. This is what people are excited about and hopefully we can get a victory there. We know how to win here and we just would like to go do it.”

Edwards, who finished as the runner up to Stewart in the 2011 season Chase for the Sprint Cup, is currently ranked 15th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings after four races. He has one top-five finish, two top-10 finishes and has earned one pole.

“Last weekend at Bristol was a little bit frustrating,” Edwards said. “I’m excited to go to some of these tracks that are coming up. We’ve been running pretty well, but this sport is a challenge and is always tough. It doesn’t matter what you did yesterday or last week, it’s about what you are doing today to make yourself and your team the best that they can be and to put yourself in a position to win.”

Edwards added, “So our mission this year is to win the championship. That is it. Our mission is to get every point we can, every win we can and hopefully be the Sprint Cup champion.”

High-Speed Education: Texas Motor Speedway is offering race fans a chance to participate in Raceday U with Coca-Cola at the Samsung Mobile 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, April 14.

For only $199, race fans will be treated to a fast-paced course, highlighted by Q&A sessions with Coca-Cola Racing family member Ryan Newman, Penske Racing’s Brad Keselowski, Regan Smith and former team owner and NASCAR wife DeLana Harvick, all in the comforts of a special hospitality area in the Village of Champions.

The Raceday U with Coca-Cola package will also provide fans with a Club Level grandstand seat; hospitality with food and Coca-Cola beverages; pre-race passes for the Foreigner concert and driver introductions; a guided pit tour; souvenirs; and more.

Pit Stop Park: TMS officials said that a few spaces remain for tailgating at the track’s Pit Stop Park.

The fan tailgating area is located less than 100 yards away from the speedway’s main entrance (Gate 4). Pit Stop Park features 76 reserved tailgating spots along with a common area that includes games and picnic tables. Along with a spacious reserved parking spot, fans also are treated to a variety of amenities which include an upscale portable restroom station; concierge service provided by Brookshires; security staffing; and more.

The Pit Stop Park opens six hours prior to the start of the race and stays open two hours following the conclusion of the event. To purchase one of the remaining spots in Pit Stop Park, contact the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500.

Foreigner unplugged: The Samsung Mobile 500 race weekend will kick off with a unique concert featuring the legendary rock-n-roll group Foreigner on Monday, April 9, at the new Flying Saucer venue – formerly 8.0’s – at 7 p.m. CT.

The private benefit concert, billed as Foreigner Acoustique – Classics Unplugged, will feature Kelly Hansen and Foreigner veterans Tom Gimbel and Jeff Pilson. They will perform the acoustic versions of the group’s classic hits in the outside venue in the heart of Sundance Square. All proceeds from the concert benefiting Speedway Children’s Charities – Texas Chapter.

General admission tickets are available for $60 and special VIP tickets are $150. All ticket buyers will receive a Foreigner “Acoustique” CD and be eligible to win an autographed Foreigner guitar. Officials said that a limited number of VIP tickets are available and include a pre-concert reception (food & open bar) at the neighboring Mercury Chop House and meet-and-greet with the Foreigner band members, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The VIPs also receive a reserved area for the concert, autographed Foreigner “Acoustique” CD and a Foreigner/SCC t-shirt.

For ticket information visit www.scctexas.org, www.texasmotorspeedway.com or by calling the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500. For more information, please visit either site or call Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas at (817) 215-8421.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards prepares to rappell down the side of a six-story training building during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards rappells down the side of a six-story training building during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards rappells down the side of a six-story training building during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards arrives on the scene of a domestic disturbance scenario in a hostile environment simulator during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway

Fort Worth SWAT team members conduct a training exercise where they swarm a house where Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage is being held hostage on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage plays the role of a hostage during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team as they storm the simulation house on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage plays the role of a hostage during a training event in which he was rescued by members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards (L) shares a laugh with Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards is part of the SWAT team debrief for Operation Gossage -- rescuing Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage from a hostage scenario -- for a training exercise with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards (center) and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage (right) pose for a group photo in front of the Bearcat vehicle after a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards talks with members of the media after rappelling down the side of a six-story training building during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards talks with members of the media after participating in a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)

Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage fires a semi-automatic weapon during a training event with members of the Fort Worth SWAT team on March 21, 2012 at the Fort Worth Police & Fire Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)